Neither are a good option, socks have a habit of being ingested by the engine, gauze can do the same if not made to fit the inlet properly and
securely and of cause let in large amounts of crud. Can you not fit a "sausage" style filter?

Your engine is too low at the front, it's meant to slope backwards not forwards. There are oil drains in the rear of the pinto cylinder head to
take away excess oil from the cam. The way it's currently sitting it will fill up the front and lead to valve stem smoke. Even the carbs are
designed to work with the engine sloping backwards. You will also get incorrect oil level readings on the dipstick as though you were sitting on a
slope.

I suggest you fit thicker engine mounts, old ford transit diesel ones are larger and very compliant.